October 2012 Author in the Room® Teleconference
Author: Robert W. Haley, MD
Summary Points:
- Epidemics of West Nile viral disease have become a serious medical and public health challenge that will be with us for the foreseeable future.
- Ultra-low volume (ULV) aerial spraying of urban areas, guided by surveillance of mosquito trap positivity and human cases, is necessary and cost-effective to prevent chronic neurologic disability and death.
- Complete, accurate and timely diagnosis of West Nile viral disease in an epidemic is vitally important to spare patients needless prolonged antimicrobial therapy and build support for public health control measures.
